New Delhi, February 12 In an effort to deepen financial inclusion and expand women's participation in capital markets, mutual fund investment company Franklin Templeton India announced on Thursday that it has launched a nationwide investor education campaign to raise awareness about mutual funds among women.
The initiative highlights the growing recognition that financial literacy, particularly among women, is key to the country's long-term socio-economic progress.
"Financial literacy among women is fundamental to India's long-term socio-economic progress. While urban centres have made significant advances, lakhs of women across India, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions, remain underserved in terms of access to financial knowledge and tools," said Avinash Satwalekar, President, Franklin Templeton India, here.
Drawing from personal interactions during visits to 17 smaller towns across southern and western India, Satwalekar noted that many women were not even aware of mutual funds as an investment avenue.
"Through this initiative, we are engaging with women from diverse backgrounds, and empowering them with the knowledge and confidence to save, invest, and adopt digital finance," he added.
Marking Franklin Templeton's 30 years in India, the 30-day outreach journey began from Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of the country, and will traverse 21 cities before culminating in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.
The campaign will feature interactive financial education sessions, expert-led discussions, and community engagement programs aimed at demystifying mutual fund investing and encouraging women to transition from savings to long-term investments, Satwalekar said.
The investor education workshops will cater to a diverse range of participants, with women forming the majority. The outreach will also include farmers from fishing and agricultural communities, members of self-help groups in the food and handloom sectors, students, parents, educators, entrepreneurs, private and government employees, and personnel from the armed forces and police services.
Mutual funds are widely regarded as one of the most efficient investment vehicles for achieving long-term financial goals, offering diversification, professional fund management, liquidity, tax efficiency, and relatively lower ticket sizes. They also play a crucial role in helping investors combat inflation and build sustainable wealth over time.
The mutual fund industry currently manages assets worth Rs 81 lakh crore, and going forward, the growth is expected to continue, supported by India's growth story, participation from women, millennials, and GenZ, financialization of savings, and technology, Satwalekar said.
Franklin Templeton India, with 30 years of presence in India, oversees an average of over Rs 1.27 lakh crore in assets across 37 schemes.
The initiative also aligns with recent regulatory measures aimed at expanding retail participation.
In November, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) introduced a revised incentive structure for mutual fund distributors, offering additional commissions for onboarding new investors from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, as well as new women investors across geographies.
